6/7 month stay visa query, apologies in advance!

[BobCru]

I've read as much as I can find from a good couple of days scouring online (plus countless threads on here!).

Apologies for the long winded thread, I appreciate there is a low threshold for people who ask stupid questions but I really have researched as much as I can, if anything there's almost too much info out there and a lot of it contradictory! Anyway...

I went to Thailand in 2012 for a month and it wasn't long before I regretted the decision. That being to have only gone for a month!
Now i've saved up a considerable amount more since and plan to go over around mid-October and spend a bit more time in places I loved and others I missed out. I train in muay thai so my plan is to train in various places, basically staying in the country for as long as I possibly can legally. This is where the problem lies, I really don't understand the visa situation fully.

As i've been led to believe, up to 270 days is possible via the following method;
180 day, triple entry visa. Pay to extend each 60 day period by 30 days when in Thailand = max of 270 days

Firstly, is the above actually even possible?! Ive seen on visahq a triple entry visa is available and have been told there's a good chance they can be obtained in Hull too.
It works out at roughly 9 months which would be more than enough as realistically I have the funds for a 6-7month trip.
If this isn't possible, I know you get 30 days on arrival and being from a G7 country, I now get 30 days crossing by land. Is it possible to not have a visa at all and just keep doing the border runs? I've read they're cracking down on the runs but it seems to be regarding people using the method to stay in Thailand as residents as opposed to tourists like myself.
Is there a limit on how long you can stay in the country in a set period of time?

Finally, last time I flew with Etihad. I was going away for a period of around 35 days. They accepted an onward train ticket I had from Hat Yai to Penang, and a plane ticket I had from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai.
Would it be fine showing onward travel for the first visa/exemption period this time, or if I had a return flight booked 6/7months after departure, would I need proof that I was leaving Thailand for all visa periods inbetween?

Thank you for your time, all help genuinely massively appreciated.

[Maestro]

Yes, immigration is cracking down on travellers who do back-to-back visa-exempt border runs. With your travel plan you should get a tourist visa valid for three entries within six months from the issue date of the visa.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[BobCru]

Yes, immigration is cracking down on travellers who do back-to-back visa-exempt border runs. With your travel plan you should get a tourist visa valid for three entries within six months from the issue date of the visa.

Cheers! So am I right in thinking I can get up to 270 days on one of those triple entry visas if I play it right?

[ubonjoe]

Yes you can get almost 270 days from a 3 entry tourist visa.

The most important thing to remember is that the 6 months validity of the visa starts on the date of issue. Meaning you should not apply for it to far ahead of your planned departure.

[BobCru]

Great stuff, thank you both for your help

[BobCru]

Just a few more things before I book the flights...

I plan to go to Thailand end of September and return to the UK end of March.

Some time in November before the first 60 day period I will fly out to Malaysia for a week

Some time in January I will fly out to Vietnam for about 3 weeks

If I get a triple entry visa does the day I land from UK, day I land from Malaysia and day I land from Vietnam count as the 3?

If for whatever reason my itinerary changes and I land in Thailand for the 3rd and final time on day 178 of the visa, do I get 60 days from that point or just 2?

Thanks again for your help and apologise if I sound a bit thick ha

Edited August 23, 2014 by BobCru

[paz]

Each entry is for 60 days counting from the day you arrive, each entry can be extended for 30 more.

Days counting starts again at each entry, counting does not sum across entries.

The last entry must be done on or before the "use before date".

It is better to get the a visa at the last practicable time before departure.

[BobCru]

Each entry is for 60 days counting from the day you arrive, each entry can be extended for 30 more.

Days counting starts again at each entry, counting does not sum across entries.

The last entry must be done on or before the "use before date".

It is better to get the a visa at the last practicable time before departure.

Thanks. Im guessing that the use before date is 6 months from the issue date? So even if I make the 3rd and final entry 1 day before the use before, I get 60 days?

Thanks again

[paz]

Usually it is six months.You must enter on, or before the date indicated.

[TerryLH]

"So even if I make the 3rd and final entry 1 day before the use before, I get 60 days?"

Yes, that is correct.

You would also be able to do the 30 day extension for it, even though the actual visa was used or expired.

[BobCru]

"So even if I make the 3rd and final entry 1 day before the use before, I get 60 days?"

Yes, that is correct.

You would also be able to do the 30 day extension for it, even though the actual visa was used or expired.

Excellent Thank you very much